Southampton youth charity welcomes proposed ban on colourful vapes

Southampton-based Youth charity No Limits, which delivers smoking and vaping prevention sessions to teaching staff across Hampshire, has welcomed the government’s proposed ban on disposable vapes, child friendly vape flavours and colourful packaging.

The dramatic rise in teenage vaping has led to a surge in demand for support from the Hampshire charity. No Limits helps schools to develop a whole-school approach to vaping, including education, supporting students to quit, developing and enforcing a site policy, and communicating with parents.

Tom Treacher, No Limits Project Manager, says “teenage brains are still developing and taking addictive substances like nicotine can change the brain – affecting concentration, impulse control, and likelihood of other addictions. The vaping industry is targeting young people, so this proposal is very welcome”.

There is no data on the long-term effects of vaping but there is emerging scientific evidence that shows vaping is harmful to health. Short-term health issues include sore throats, coughing, headaches and dizziness.  In addition, disposable vapes are hugely detrimental to the environment. Five million disposable vapes are thrown away every week in the UK, single use vapes contain batteries and difficult-to-recycle plastics that break down in landfills, polluting soil and causing harm to animals, people and the environment.

No Limits has delivered training to professionals from nine education settings, as well as direct education sessions with 90 children since starting the smoking and vaping prevention work late last year. For more information visit www.nolimitshelp.org.uk.